Flavio Cobolli has spent his off-season with Carlos Alcaraz as they both prepare for the 2026 season at the Spaniard’s academy.
Alcaraz and Cobolli practised on an indoor hardcourt as the world number one looks to solve his issues on the surface.
Cobolli, meanwhile, is hoping to build upon a 2025 season which saw him crack the top 20 of the ATP Tour rankings for the first time.
The Italian has divulged information about what it is really like to practise alongside the world number one.
The ‘important advice’ Carlos Alcaraz is giving to Flavio Cobolli
Cobolli is yet to beat Alcaraz in their two ATP meetings, but he is gaining a valuable insight by training with the Spaniard.
Speaking to TG1 about his off-season preparations with Alcaraz, the rising Italian star was full of praise for the world number one.
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He said: “Two hours of training with him feels like 20 minutes. When you train with any other player, it feels like 2 hours.”
The Italian added: “And he’s obviously giving me a lot of important advice, and even if he doesn’t tell me, I learn.”
Cobolli will next be in action when he represents Italy in the United Cup, alongside Jasmine Paolini and Andrea Vavassori.
Carlos Alcaraz announces his first two matches of 2026
Alcaraz is not expected back in competitive action until the Australian Open, but he does have two exhibition matches planned before then.
The star will play Jannik Sinner in the “Hyundai Card Super Match” exhibition in Incheon, South Korea, on January 10, 2026.
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He will follow that up by playing Alex de Minaur in an Australian Open ‘Opening Week’ match on January 15.
Alcaraz has previously suggested that his difficulties at the Australian Open stem from his lack of match fitness after the off-season.
Playing two opponents of the calibre of Sinner and de Minaur, even in exhibition matches, should be a huge boost for the world number one.
